World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition
Dr Lydia Makaroff - President, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, Oxford, UK
Could you tell us about World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition?
So the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition is a global coalition, so we seek to be the global voice of people affected by bladder cancer. And this is why I’m at the Africa Cancer Congress, to learn the experiences and really be inspired by the amazing and innovative strategies that people on the continent of Africa have to raise awareness of cancer and to support people affected by cancer.
Why is this coalition important in Africa?
The World Bladder Cancer patient coalition is the global voice of people with cancer, and we need to make sure that everyone, in every country around the world, has a support group of people with bladder cancer helping other people with bladder cancer. And there’s a lot of work to be done: collaborations with urologists and oncologists and patients and carers. But I think if we all work together and if we partner with effective organisations who are already in these countries, then we can eventually achieve our vision of having a bladder cancer patient organisation in every nation in the world.
What message would you give to your colleagues?
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition is here to help you if you want to set up a national bladder cancer organisation in your country. We are a multilingual team who speak many different languages. We have a start-up guide, we have resources, we have organisations that would love to partner with you. And we know it can seem overwhelming sometimes, the thought of setting up an entire new charity or an entire new NGO, but we have people who have done it before you. It can also just be a small step, as well, so you don’t need to start out setting up a formal patient organisation. You can set up a WhatsApp group or a Facebook group, whatever works for you in your country, and we will be here to support you and to cheer you on.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would encourage everyone to get involved in World Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in the month of May. So in the month of May, we highlight the symptoms of bladder cancer. We tell them that if you’ve got blood in your pee, if you’ve got blood in your urine, you should go see your primary care physician. Also, if you’ve had urinary tract infections that don’t clear up after a few rounds of antibiotics, you should also see your primary care physician. So please share this message, share the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, and every May let’s make sure that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer and knows where to go to get help and get a speedy diagnosis.
